Coping with Workplace Violence in Healthcare Settings: Social Support and Strategies

TLDR

The study aimed to identify factors shaping healthcare workers’ views on violence‑prevention strategies via social support theory and to promote increased organisational and societal support for these workers. A cross‑sectional survey of healthcare professionals across 19 hospitals in six Heilongjiang cities was performed. Workers exposed to workplace violence anticipated organisational and social support; psychological‑violence victims favored targeted training and legislation, physical‑violence victims wanted backup support, and those experiencing both violence types or high anxiety required greater organisational and societal backing.

Abstract

A cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals from 19 hospitals in six cities of Heilongjiang Province, China was conducted. This study had two objectives: (1) to examine the factors influencing healthcare workers' opinions of strategies to prevent workplace violence, using social support theory, and (2) to encourage healthcare organisations and the larger society to offer greater support to healthcare workers. The respondents exposed to workplace violence expected to receive organisational and social support. Those exposed to psychological violence had a strong opinion of the need for target training to strengthen their competence in responding to violence (OR = 1.319, 95% CI: 1.034-1.658) and enacting workplace violence legislation (OR = 1.968, 95% CI: 1.523-2.543).Those exposed to physical violence thought it might be useful to reinforce staff with back-up support (OR = 3.101, 95% CI: 1.085-8.860). Those exposed to both types of violence and those with high anxiety levels need greater support at both the organisational and societal levels.